Drooping Eyelids and Brows

Ptosis is a condition characterized by upper eyelids that droop down over the eye and don’t open completely due to the weakening of the eyelid opening muscles. A child may be born with this condition or it can be acquired as an adult through age, trauma, excessive eye rubbing, neurological issues, or other causes. Ptosis in children is a medical issue that needs to be addressed because it can lead to permanent poor visual development. In adults, ptosis can be cosmetic or medical depending on how much it interferes with vision.

Upper eyelids can also appear droopy or tired if there is loose, excess eyelid skin (a condition known as dermatochalasis). This excess skin can sag enough to block part of the visual field and necessitate surgical intervention. Even if it does not impair vision, sagging upper eyelids can make you look older or more tired than you are, which may be addressed for cosmetic reasons. The lower eyelids may be similarly affected and can make you look tired and add years to your appearance. The lower eyelids can be addressed through careful removal of excess skin and repositioning or removal of the lower eyelid fat pads to create a smoother, more youthful transition from the eyelids to the cheeks.

Drooping eyebrows caused by natural aging or other conditions can create an unwanted tired or angry appearance that can be surgically corrected for cosmetic reasons. If the drooping is significant enough, the brow can obscure vision and surgery becomes medically necessary for functional reasons.

What Are the Treatment Options for Drooping Eyelids or Brows?

An oculoplastic surgeon can usually repair ptosis, dermatochalasis, and drooping brows with common outpatient procedures, such as:

• Ptosis Repair
• Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
• Brow Lift

While these treatment options are often thought of as cosmetic surgeries, if they are performed to address vision issues, they are considered medically necessary and are likely covered by insurance. An evaluation by one of the oculoplastic surgeons at the Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) will be able to determine the specifics of your particular case.